Observatory: meaning, definitions and examples

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observatory

 

[ əbˈzɜːrvətɔːri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

scientific facility

An observatory is a location or building equipped for observing celestial events, such as stars, planets, and other astronomical phenomena. These facilities often contain telescopes and other instruments that astronomers use to conduct research and gather data about the universe.

Synonyms

astronomical observatory, observing station, watchtower

Examples of usage

  • The observatory hosted an impressive telescope for stargazing.
  • Many universities have their own observatory for research purposes.
  • After sunset, the observatory opens to the public for night sky viewing.

Translations

Translations of the word "observatory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 observatório

🇮🇳 वेधशाला

🇩🇪 Observatorium

🇮🇩 observatorium

🇺🇦 обсерваторія

🇵🇱 obserwatorium

🇯🇵 天文台

🇫🇷 observatoire

🇪🇸 observatorio

🇹🇷 gözlemevi

🇰🇷 천문대

🇸🇦 مرصد

🇨🇿 observatoř

🇸🇰 observatórium

🇨🇳 天文台

🇸🇮 observatorij

🇮🇸 stjörnustöð

🇰🇿 обсерватория

🇬🇪 მოწვევა

🇦🇿 observatoriya

🇲🇽 observatorio

Word origin

The term 'observatory' originates from the Latin word 'observatorium', which means 'a place for observing'. Its use can be traced back to the late Renaissance period, when interest in astronomy grew significantly, leading to the establishment of dedicated buildings for stargazing and celestial studies. The earliest observatories were often built by wealthy patrons or institutions seeking to advance scientific knowledge. With the development of telescopes and other scientific equipment, observatories played a crucial role in the discovery of various astronomical phenomena. Over time, observatories have evolved to incorporate modern technology, allowing for more advanced observations of the universe, while still holding on to their historical roots in the pursuit of knowledge about the stars and planets.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,015, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.